Dr Thomas Holzknecht is welcoming his patients into light-filled rooms in the heart of Saanen. After successful years in Zürich, the Doctor for holistic and integrative medicine has moved his practice to the Bernese Oberland, where he has founded a new concept with a very personal philosophy. 

Dr Thomas, your practice is called Coming Home. What does this name stand for? 

Coming Home means returning to yourself. Many people today are searching for balance, physical, mental and emotional. I support them on this journey. My task is to find out when and why a person has lost their balance, which can lead to infection, emotional dissonance or even disease. It’s not only about treating symptoms but understanding their cause. The range is from a simple cough or headache to burnout, trauma or serious illness. 

You combine conventional and complementary medicine. How does this work? 

I see the human being as an orchestra. When all instruments are in tune, harmony arises – in body, mind, every cell and even within the bacterial flora of the gut. But when something falls out of tune, disharmony can create illness. My work is to help restore that harmony with my personal approach to medicine. 

What does a typical consultation look like? 

I like to take the time it needs, the first appointment lasts about 90 minutes. We start with a detailed conversation to understand the person in front of me, her or his story, needs, and background. Diagnostics include auricular acupuncture, a medical method that works like a compass, revealing where balance is lost. Often it shows that back pain, for example, is not only linked to the spine but also to digestion, stress, or emotions. For therapy, I combine science with holistic medicine: acupuncture and laser acupuncture, micronutrient and infusion therapies, microbiome-based treatments, and IHHT, a gentle altitude-training method that supports cellular regeneration. When needed, I conduct specialised laboratory or microbiome analyses. I also integrate evidence-based conventional medications or refer to trusted specialists to complement the treatment. Every treatment is individually designed to plant the seeds for recovery and long-term health.

Your medical career, however, began in conventional medicine. 

Not quite – my path began much earlier. I was deeply inspired by my paediatrician, who later became my mentor. He showed me the profound potential of combining high-standard conventional medicine with holistic approaches. By the time I entered medical school, I already knew I wanted to unite these two worlds. I even began my acupuncture training in my early student years. Later, as an anaesthesiologist and emergency physician at the University Hospital of Zurich, I learned precision, clarity, and resilience. For me, integrative medicine means bringing together  the best of both worlds – guiding people back home to themselves. 

Dr Thomas has moved to the Saanenland with his wife and their five children. Deeply connected to the region, he and his family are committed to settling here for the long term, valuing the community’s down-to-earth spirit and the genuinely personal way people meet one another.

To learn more about
Dr Thomas Holzknecht’s work
www.drthomas.ch

Located in the charming heart
of Saanen village
Coming Home Group AG
Hindergässli 16, 3792 Saanen